Why Celtic stars don't care about John Beaton despite Rangers 'controversy' guarantee

Andy Walker insists Celtic won't care about John Beaton refereeing the game - despite admitting that "controversy" is a certainty during the clash with Rangers.

Beaton will be the man in the middle for the crucial Scottish Premiership clash having been heavily criticised by Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers for his performance on VAR following the Hoops' defeat to Hearts. The SFA's decision to hand Beaton the whistle for the game at Ibrox raised some eyebrows with some punters buying into conspiracy theories before the Old Firm derby clash.

But former Hoops' hero Walker was having none of the madcap claims about the whistler - as he insisted that Callum McGregor and co won't care who is refereeing the game. He reckons that the errors that have rumbled on since the introduction of VAR show a greater issue with officials in Scotland.

Walker told talkSPORT: "I don't think you will find any Celtic players worrying about a refereeing performance on Sunday. I think what we do have is a poor group of referees.

"I think what has happened in Scotland is the introduction of VAR has exposed them for being pretty weak. I am all for having a firm and fair referee in the middle of the park - who goes with the decision.

"The amount of times they are just getting another opinion from someone that has seen it different - the idea of getting the right call is just an impossibility. There are so many subjective decisions and you have got to give it to the man in the middle.

"I don't think you will find any Celtic player having any qualms about John Beaton being the referee. But obviously you can get controversy. The one thing you are guaranteed is controversy.

"You can talk about a throw in for three or four days in these games. I don't